Cross-Sector Collaboration Driven to Accelerate National Innovation Downstreaming
Strengthening the national innovation ecosystem requires collaboration between the government, the business world, universities, and innovators. This message was a primary focus of the upcoming Innovation and Technology for Social and Environmental Sustainability (InTechSEA) Awards 2026, to be held by Hasanuddin University (Unhas) at the Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta on Monday, 14 September 2026.
A number of ministers and national business figures are scheduled to attend. The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, is confirmed to attend, alongside the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimmuarti Yudhoyono (AHY), and the Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan. National entrepreneur Arsjad Rasjid and several leaders from various sectors are also expected to be present.
The presence of these policymakers and business players reinforces the relevance of innovation and technology to the national development agenda, ranging from the downstream processing of natural resources, energy transformation, and food security to environmental sustainability and increasing industrial competitiveness.
The Director of Innovation and Intellectual Property at Hasanuddin University, Asmi Citra Malina, stated that the confirmed attendance of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources strengthens InTechSEA’s position as a forum that brings innovation together with the government and industry.
“The certainty of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources’ attendance was secured after the Unhas team held an audience with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. The Ministry also responded positively to the InTechSEA event and proposed a category for mining downstreaming, which is relevant to the agenda of increasing the added value of Indonesia’s mineral resources,” said Asmi on Saturday (12/9/2026).
According to Asmi, downstreaming requires support from technology, research, human resources, and business models capable of increasing the added value of commodities domestically. Therefore, universities play a strategic role in producing innovations that can be applied in industry and support government policies.
Participation from the business world also demonstrates the high level of corporate interest in sustainable innovation. More than 80 companies are participating in the InTechSEA 2026 series across sectors including energy, oil and gas, mining, industry, financial services, and community empowerment. Participants include PT Pertamina Gas, Energy Equity Epic (Sengkang) Pty Ltd, PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk, PT Hadji Kalla, and PT Asuransi Kredit Indonesia.
InTechSEA is being directed to evolve from an awards ceremony into a meeting space for government, universities, industry, and innovators. Carrying the theme ‘Collaborative Innovation for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future’, the event encourages university research to move beyond academic journals to practical applications that generate social, economic, and environmental impacts.
Assessments will consider not only technological novelty but also implementation potential, social impact, sustainability, downstreaming readiness, and the opportunity for adoption by users and the business world.
National categories include CSR and Community Empowerment, Disaster and Climate Resilience, Environment, and Biodiversity. Evaluated innovations cover food security, green and blue economies, disaster mitigation, energy transformation, renewable energy, water and waste management, emission reduction, and biodiversity conservation.
At the international level, InTechSEA presents the CSR International Awards, with assessments referencing shared value, ISO 26000, SDGs, and ESG reporting transparency. There is also The Arsjad Rasjid Award for Sustainability Innovation and the GEDSI Special Award.
Moving the peak event from Makassar to Jakarta is part of a strategy to expand national networks. Previous events in Makassar were attended by 156 participants, whereas this year, InTechSEA is strengthening its focus on downstreaming and cross-sector collaboration.
By involving the government, over 80 companies, academics, and innovators, InTechSEA 2026 asserts that innovation must be brought together with policy, investment, and industry so that research results can develop into real solutions for society while supporting national development.